Possibly the last guitar you’ll ever buy. 60 years of playing, performing and teaching guitar has given Denny an advantage over the majority of guitar builders today. Denny understands the demands of the professional player because he is one. He discovered there are certain key elements that make a great guitar, and with that knowledge he created the Zager ZAD50 Series. Elements like solid wood construction, high quality hardware, a custom neck design that feels good in your hand, string spacing that allows you to move faster on the fretboard, that simultaneously prevents buzzes and rattles, combined with a special bracing system that produces one of the best sounds in the guitar industry today. Read more

In designing the ZAD50 Denny wanted to build a guitar that had the special details you see in only $2500 instruments. Hand scalloped bracing that gives the guitar a more powerful robust sound. Hand filed frets that allow your fingers to glide over the fretboard without chafing your fingertips.

Pros using the ZAD50 on stage say it matches or betters $2000 instruments, but with easier playability and a much lower price since you’re buying direct from our workshop in Lincoln, Nebraska. Be sure to read artist comments and magazine reviews on the 50 as it consistently rates in the top 5% of acoustics made world wide. 100% money back guarantee including shipping fees both ways. It’s a lifetime instrument so it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Solid wood construction sounds better every year as it ages.

Hand carved bracing for greater movement of the soundboard providing a richer sound.

Slim neck design feels natural in your hand making it easier to form chords.

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Features

Orchestra models (referred to as OM's) have a body that is 15% smaller then our full size guitars. They have a slightly narrower hour glass design which make them sit lower in your lap so they're a little easier to get your arm around, especially if you're smaller in stature or if you have a larger mid section. Neck size and scale length are identical to our full size guitars.

Sitka Spruce Top

The most important part of an acoustic guitar is its top. The top acts like a speaker. When a string is plucked energy is transferred to the top and the top starts to move. Spruce offers a tight, punchy low end response with great projection. Players who demand a powerful sound with tons of projection will hear the benefit of a Sitka spruce top. Used on only the highest quality guitars in the world.

See full build sheet

Mahogany Back-sides

One of the most popular tone woods used on acoustic guitars today. If you’re looking for punchy bass, solid mids and sparkling highs mahogany is the wood you want on your next guitar. Acoustic guitars in general tend to live in the midrange portion of the sound spectrum, and mahogany in particular displays this characteristic best. Mahogany's tendency to emphasize midrange tones gives this guitar a rich full sound no matter the playing style. You can fingerpick, strum, or flatpick and mahogany always delivers.

Mahogany Neck

Mahogany—one of the most popular tone woods used on acoustic guitars for the last 50 years

Mahogany Headstock

Mahogany is lightweight yet strong, and its timeless look is used on many quality guitars. The guitar head stock configuration is a registered trademark and is used under license from C.F. Martin & Co. Inc. of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, USA.

Zager Design (Hand Scalloped) Bracework

The technique of scalloping or shaving the braces can have a huge impact on the power and tone of an acoustic guitar. By shaving or reducing the thickness of the brace, it becomes more flexible and therefore lets the top move more freely. When done by a Master Luthier the brace maintains its structural integrity, while making the top more efficient. The result is faster attack, longer sustain, more bass, more power, and an overall improvement in the whole tone system.

Zipper Stripe Back-detail

Laid by hand one piece at a time. Adds to the overall beauty and sets off the color of the wood. Found on only the highest quality guitars in the world.

High Gloss Finish

High-gloss finish provides excellent protection but at the same time is extremely light and elastic. This is a crucial point in both the sound of the guitar and its ability to age—which is what makes a guitar sound better year after year. A thick finish muffles a guitar's vibration and blocks aging.

Custom Adjustment Setting Truss-rod

Denny designs his guitars with a truss rod adjustment setting that allows you to dial in your guitar to your particular playing style. In this way if you're a heavy handed player you can set the action higher so you can "get on it" a little for more power, and if you're lighter handed touch player you can dial in the action low so you can move faster and play longer with less fatigue.

Genuine Grover (gold) Tuning-machines

Genuine Grover sealed tuning machines are found on only the finest guitars made. Look at tuners on $2500+ acoustics and you will see the majority have "Grovers." Unlike open gear tuners where the tuning mechanism is exposed, Grover sealed tuners contain a lubricant that keep the tuning mechanism sealed air-tight so the gears turn smooth and continue to for the life of your instrument. Lifetime warranty. If you have a tuner go bad we'll replace it free of charge for life.

Bone Hand Carved Nut

Denny hand carves his nuts from bone for each guitar so the strings are set lower with custom spacing. Lower string heights make it easier to press down to form chords and it also increases finger speed. Custom spacing allows you to move faster with less buzzes, mutes, and rattles because you’re no longer bumping adjacent strings. Custom string spacing makes it easier for all hands sizes big and small. Lifetime warranty. Break a nut and we'll replace it free of charge for life

Tusq Hand Carved Saddle

Denny hand carves each saddle for each individual guitar. Denny also adjusts the intonation settings to bring the guitar harmonically in balance with itself. This not only makes your guitar easier to play, but it also makes it sound more powerful. Customers say our guitars fall into tune easier and stay in tune longer...this is one of the reasons why. Denny uses only genuine "Tusq" brand saddles on his guitars which you generally only find on higher dollar acoustics . Lifetime warranty. Break a saddle and we'll replace it free of charge for life.

Zager Custom Lights Strings

Zager custom strings are designed by Denny exclusively for his Guitars. We have customers using all brands and gauges of strings on our guitars with excellent results (Elixir, Martin, Fender, Gibson, D'addario) but these are the strings our customers seem to like the most on our guitars. Hand wound daily in our shop in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Zager Soft Touch (Hand Filed) Frets

Denny hand files each fret one at a time on every guitar that leaves our shop. By filing the frets Denny achieves two important things. When sliding up and down the neck your fingers will no longer get irritated and sore and you won't suffer from what we call "String Bite" and overall finger fatigue. Secondly, when you file the frets by hand each fret will have the same uniform height. 9 times out of 10 when you have a buzzing string it has nothing to with your playing, it’s because you have a guitar with a fret that’s sitting away from the fret board hitting a string.

Lifetime Warranty

Our warranty is simple. Lifetime on all guitars. A quality guitar should be made to last a lifetime and if it doesn't it wasn't a quality guitar to begin with.

Reviews

G027Possibly the last guitar you'll ever buy. 60 years of playing, performing and teaching guitar has given Denny an advantage over the majority of guitar builders today. Denny understands the demands of the professional player because he is one. He discovered there are certain key elements that make a great guitar, and with that knowledge he created the Zager ZAD50 Series. Elements like solid wood construction, high quality hardware, a custom neck design that feels good in your hand, string spacing that allows you to move faster on the fretboard, that simultaneously prevents buzzes and rattles, combined with a special bracing system that produces one of the best sounds in the guitar industry today. [expand title='Read more' tag='span']In designing the ZAD50 Denny wanted to build a guitar that had the special details you see in only $2500 instruments. Hand scalloped bracing that gives the guitar a more powerful robust sound. Hand filed frets that allow your fingers to glide over the fretboard without chafing your fingertips.
Pros using the ZAD50 on stage say it matches or betters $2000 instruments, but with easier playability and a much lower price since you're buying direct from our workshop in Lincoln, Nebraska. Be sure to read artist comments and magazine reviews on the 50 as it consistently rates in the top 5% of acoustics made world wide. 100% money back guarantee including shipping fees both ways. It's a lifetime instrument so it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Solid wood construction sounds better every year as it ages.

Hand carved bracing for greater movement of the soundboard providing a richer sound.

Slim neck design feels natural in your hand making it easier to form chords.

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
It's shaped like my old Taylor cutaway, and it's got a similar feel, but it plays easier and the tone is brighter. Friends remarked last night that it had "more of a presence" than the Taylor. (Don't get me wrong. I still love my Taylor, which has been a reliable workhorse guitar for almost fifteen years.)

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
Probably its playability. It plays as easily on the twelfth fret as the first. It sounds great unplugged or amplified. Its tone is superb and it's an ideal fit for the way I play.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
At least twice what I paid for it.

How would you rate customer support?
Excellent.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Oh yes. It's a beautiful instrument that plays beautifully.

Additional comments:
It arrived on my doorstep Thursday morning, Oct. 9. I gave it a one-hour front porch workout in the afternoon and I plugged it in and played with friends Thursday night. The guitar feels good, sounds good, and looks good.

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
I've owned an entry level Yamaha, which I sold and bought an entry level Martin (about $600 in 2003). The ZAD20 is by far the easiest to play.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
Do I have to choose just one? Ease of playing, well balanced sound, sealed smooth operating tuners,quality workmanship,the scaling of the frets is very accurate.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
I've handed it to fellow guitar players and they thought it would sell in the $800 to $1000 range. I bought mine in 2004 for $399 (plus $100 for the case, well worth it!

How would you rate customer support?
You call them they support you. That's how I was able to retire. :)
Seriously though, very prompt. I recently needed to add a strap button on the neck. I sent them an email asking what they recommended and they sent me one and a new set of strings free of charge!

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Absolutely! When I bought this guitar, I did so because of the EZ-play feature. My old Yamaha wasn't easy to play. The entry level Martin was better, but not as good as the Zager. When you're learning you don't want an instrument that makes learning more difficult. With the Zager I've found the guitar is NOT my limiting factor, and as I progress, I find I appreciate this instrument more and more. It's one of those rare items you buy that you're pleased with every time you use it!

Additional comments:
As I review this, my ZAD20 has passed it's 10th birthday. I played it a little when I first got it, but when I retired 3 years ago, I started playing it about 1.5-2 hours a day.
It's a great guitar. Pretty much the only thing I need to do with it is adjust the neck when heating season starts and ends (wrench included) change the strings, tune it and play!
It has held up wonderfully! The tuners are silky smooth and have never slipped. The action is amazing as is the sound. The ONLY thing I sometimes wish I had was one of the cutaway models like the ZAD20CE to ease getting to the frets past 12.
The string to fretboard distance at the nut end of the neck is about 3mm. At the bridge end about 4.5mm. This is on a 10 year old guitar! (I think it sounds mellower now than when it was new too!)
Also the in home try out can't be beat!

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
The 900 gives me the same feel as my Martin (1971 vintage) D28 and sounds great, even when new. Looking forward to the sound as the wood settles in

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
I love the action of this guitar. It bars almost like a full electric. And the woodwork is beautiful. This is also my first acoustic-electric.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
I would have thought 3200-4000

How would you rate customer support?
So far, the Zager folks have been wonderful and incredibly responsive, even to simple questions. Nothing seems too trivial for them.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
I certainly would. Play-ability, beauty and quality of workmanship and materials.

Additional comments:
For an ageing guitarist of 62, the ease of action is a real plus. Come on you Boomer players!

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
This guitar can be described in one word. Awsome. Better than any guitar I played in the stores. Better than $2000 and $3000 dollar guitars I was playing in the stores. These were the back room stock, not the rack guitars out front.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
The finish on this guitar was beautiful. The action and playability out of the box was astounding. The upgrade case was an unexpected benefit.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
I was fully prepared to send this guitar back if not satisfied and rush out to purchase a 2 to 3 thousand dollar guitar. I am fully satisfied and love my zager. It is a beautiful instrument and worth more to me than my investment.

How would you rate customer support?
The support by the zager staff has been amazing. Dennis answered all my questions and I know there were many. They responded without high pressure and walked me thru the process and delivered more than was promised. The staff of zager is first rate.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Not only would I recommend zager I am already planning another purchase of one of their superior instruments.

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
This is the nicest guitar that i have ever owned nice deep tones as well as a very even overall sound. this guitar was set up well, the intonation is real nice in playing all over the neck. The only guitars that i've played in stores that are this nice have ugly price that are not.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
the overall setup makes it an easier guitar to play, subtle changes in design make a big overall difference. well thought out design.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
1200.00

How would you rate customer support?
customer support has always been quick to answer questions and a pleasure to deal with.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
yes definitely for the beginner, too many start with a cheap guitar that is bad for the ears, and for the hands.

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
I have only been playing for about 6 years and was ready for something to get me to the next level. I was looking at Martins and Taylors but the price range was out of my reach. When I recieved my Zager I was so amazed at the quality of the sound and the ease of how it played.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
Everything. It is a quality insturment. The wood is truly beautiful. The pressure needed to play difficult chords is very low and the sound is perfect.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
$1600 easy.

How would you rate customer support?
Dennis Zager Jr. was very timely with any questions or concerns I had. Very customer focused and proud of the guitars they are making.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Very much so. Like I said my experience in dealing with Zager was a delight. I cannot say enough about this guitar.

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
I really like it, the sound is as good as my high end taylor and martin. The ease of play is phenomenal.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
The ease of play, I have had it for 4 days and it is fast becoming my favorite guitar and I own a Taylor 816, Taylor 716, Martin and a Breedlove j320 Ef studio.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
Between $1200-$2200

How would you rate customer support?
Customer support was and is top notch, they responded quickly and accurately .

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Yes, I plan on buying another.

Additional comments:
It is a great guitar. I would give it my highest recommendations

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
I really like it, the sound is as good as my high end taylor and martin. The ease of play is phenomenal.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
The ease of play, I have had it for 4 days and it is fast becoming my favorite guitar and I own a Taylor 816, Taylor 716, Martin and a Breedlove j320 Ef studio.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
Between $1200-$2200

How would you rate customer support?
Customer support was and is top notch, they responded quickly and accurately .

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Yes, I plan on buying another.

Additional comments:
It is a great guitar. I would give it my highest recommendations

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
I have Gibson's, Fenders, a Gurian, and a few others and, while I still enjoy playing them all, this Zanger sounds fantastic, is easy to play and has become my everyday go to guitar. I have enough guitars now, trying new ones in stores has just become a fun day. I haven't found one that compares to the Zanger.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
The sound, the ease of playing and the looks. Very high quality of workmanship and materials.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
$1200.00 plus.

How would you rate customer support?
Like family. Every time I have had a question, I get a prompt and helpful response. I usually ask about accessories because I have had no problems with the guitar.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
I would recommend this guitar company to anyone who wants a high quality guitar that sounds great and is easy and fun to play. I have a couple of professional friends and they are always wanting to borrow the guitar...no way!

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
It stacks up to my full size Martin

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
The fact that is a smaller size which is just what I wanted but has a nice full rich sound

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
200.00

How would you rate customer support?
Excellent a total 10+++
They answered my emails promptly

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Most definitely... Because I can see total attention to detail and quality of the guitar. I understand why it took a little longer to get. It was well worth it

Additional comments:
I know Denny has a lot pride and care in his work. They take care of their customers. Would recommend highly.

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
The quality and fit and finish is above comparable models that cost
hundreds more! Sound is equal to or better than more expensive brands!
Now the good part, the Zager is easier to play.!!

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
Ease of playing for extended time periods! I mostly played electric but now
I have two Zager acoustics and find them easier to play than other brands.
My other acoustic would tire my fingers but my Zager is much easier on
the fingers...

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
1600-1800$

How would you rate customer support?
My personal experience with Dennis Zager was perfect.
He truly cares about the satisfaction of his customers and
the quality of his instruments! Another great reason to buy
a Zager acoustic.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Definitely would!!! I like the OM size, it's a tad smaller with no compromise
in tone or volume. It's an easy transition from electric to a OM size acoustic.
I used to dread playing a dreadnought... now I love to play my OM 80 CE

Additional comments:
I could have purchased any brand I wanted.... But I am so glad I chose
Zager (for a second time). Zager truly cares for their customers and
will see to their complete satisfaction. The quality, the sound, the easy play
and the price... Why would you choose any other???

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
I am very happy with this guitar both in the construction of it and the way it plays. I feel that it is very comparable to much more expensive guitars and is very good value for the cost.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
I like how it plays and especially the feel of the neck. The sound is also very full and well rounded.
I also like the upgraded electronics package that is now being used.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
I would estimate this guitar to be in the $1200.00 range and would easily compare to other makes in that range or even slightly higher.

How would you rate customer support?
The customer support was fantastic with all of my emails answered almost immediately.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
I would recommend this guitar to others for the reasonable price, the solid construction and the customer support that is provided.
And remember if you are not happy with the guitar for any reason, send it back.

Additional comments:
Zager made the buying a guitar experience very easy for me and I definitely recommend them.

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
It is day and night. I am am beginner so I am not a pro by any means, but the Zager is so much more easier to practice on than my LX1 Martin. The quality of the Zager is so much more tan I expected and vs. other guitars the play ability and tone oz the Zager is unsurpassed.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
The overall quality of the guitar is heirloom grade, it is just absolutely awesome. The customer service, the case, the guitar finish, quality materials and last but not least the tone. It sounds like a guitar should sound, deep rich tones and the ease of play is astonishing.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
Double or triple what I paid for it, but I am glad that I did not.

How would you rate customer support?
10+ Delivery was not off the shelf which is OK for me as I want something that is not cookie cutter and I know work went into making this guitar.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Absolutely, 100% would. The quality and ease of play are better than anything I have seen in an instrument and the guitar is absolutely beautiful with a tone that really turns heads, you just cannot believe the richness of the tone from a Zager.

How does this guitar compare with your old guitar, other guitars, or guitars you've tried in stores?
I purchased the Z80 to replace my Taylor 210ce. I had nothing but trouble with the Taylor from day 1. I was just learning to play and although the Taylor sounded great and looked beautiful I could never get it to tune to key easily. I took it to a guitar shop and had their set up guy work on it. It took him a week and he told me the neck was slightly warped at the 10th fret. I took it to the Taylor factory here in San Diego and they said their was nothing wrong with it. So for a year I practiced and practiced. I still couldn't play a bar chord past the third fret. I took it back to Taylor and they offered to set it up and check it out, for $135.00. When I got it back it was a little better but after 6 months it still would not tune up right and was difficult to play.
Then I bought the Zager 80. Wow, what a difference. It is a beautiful guitar and very well made. Bar chords are very easy to play and it tunes up perfect. My wife who has perfect pitch always said I was slightly out of tune when playing the Taylor. But with the Zager the pitch was right on. I wife sang professionally for many years and I trust her ear. The workmanship on my Zager is impeccable. I love the high gloss finish and the Mother of pearl inlay around the sound hole and top. Even the back has some inlay work that looks great. I tired a few high end Matins and Taylors in the store and I honestly think my Zager is just as good, and easy to play.

What's your favorite part about this guitar?
Besides the way the Zager looks and feels in the hand, the neck is my favorite. It is a little thinner from front to back and it seems flatter in the back of the neck making it easier to keep my thumb low and position my fingers straight down on the strings. Also I think the nut is slightly wider so my fingers have a little more room. I'm playing my chords much cleaner and more difficult chords are easier to play.

If you didn't know the price of this guitar what would you estimate the price to be?
Just looking at it I would have to say about $3,000.00. It really looks expensive.

How would you rate customer support?
Before I purchased this guitar online. By the way, you can only buy this guitar online. Zager has cut out the middleman on their instruments and sell direct from the factory. This saved me a ton of money because I didn't have to pay the music stores 2.5% or higher, Mark Up. So you can't go to a music store and buy one. This sounds like a negative but it isn't. Zager has the best return policy in the guitar business. If you do not like it, send it back. And, Zager will even pay the return shipping cost for you.
Before I purchased mine I E-mailed Dennis Zager four or five times with questions. He answered me every time. The day I purchased it I called in my order. The Zager people are wonderful to do business with. I only regret I didn't know about them sooner.

Would you recommend this guitar to others…if so why?
Heck Yes I would recommend this guitar to others. Why? 1. It is a quality built instrument. 2. It is much easier to play. 3. It looks great and expensive. 4. You simply cannot beat the price when you compare it against any other guitar.